Men's Soccer

Men's Soccer Opens America East Play at Hartford on Saturday Evening

The UMBC men's soccer team opens its 11th season of America East play on Saturday, Oct. 5 when the seventh-ranked Retrievers head to West Hartford, Conn., to take on the Hartford Hawks. Both teams have put together outstanding non-conference resumés. UMBC (9-1-0) opened the campaign with nine consecutive victories and extended their unbeaten streak to 18 before a 1-0 double overtime loss to Delaware on Tuesday evening. Hartford (7-1-2) got off to one of the hottest starts in school history, reeling off wins or draws in its first eight games before suffering its first loss. UH edged Central Connecticut State, 2-1, in New Britain on Wednesday. Live stats and free live video are available via www.umbcretrievers.com for the 7:00 p.m. start at Al-Marzook Field.

RETRIEVER RECAP

UMBC saw its winning streak of nine to start the season and its unbeaten streak of 18, dating back to 2012, halted as visiting Delaware scored with 3:23 to play in the second overtime period and defeated the Retrievers, 1-0. UMBC (9-1-0) lost for the first time since Oct. 10, 2012, a 2-1 setback at Albany. The Retrievers, who were unbeaten in the last 12 home games, fell for the first time at home since Sept. 29, 2012, a 2-1 defeat versus Vermont.

RETRIEVER NOTES

UMBC garnered its top two rankings in school history in two polls for games ending Sept. 29. In the NSCAA poll, UMBC is now No. 7, while the Retrievers' No. 8 ranking by Top Drawer Soccer (the last two weeks) is its top position in any media-affiliated men's soccer poll.

For the first time in school history, UMBC was ranked No. 1 in its (Northeast) region (NSCAA, Sept. 24).

The nine-game winning streak tied the second-longest in school history. The 2009 Retrievers also won nine straight contests to open the season. The 1999 Retrievers won 13 in a row in the midst of a 19-1-2 campaign.

UMBC had gone 12 consecutive overtime games without a win (0-1-11) before the 3-2 double overtime victory over Navy on Sept. 17. The previous OT win was at Penn State (2-1) in October of 2010. The Retrievers have captured two double OT contests. The Retrievers won both in the 103rd minute of play. Conversely, UMBC had gone 10 OT sessions without a loss until the setback to Delaware. The previous OT loss was a 4-3 setback to Maryland on Sept. 13, 2011.

SR Pete Caringi III is tied for the nation's lead in goals scored (9) and tied for third in goals per game (1.00). JR M Geaton Caltabiano is second in assists (7) and third in assists per game (0.78).

UMBC was ranked 25th in the nation in home attendance in 2012 with 981 fans per game. Through Oct. 1 (8 games), UMBC is averaging 1,228 at Retriever Soccer Park.

UMBC is now 36-31-11 in ten America East seasons, which includes a mark of 24-9-6 (.692) in games at home in league play. In league openers, UMBC is 3-4-3; when opening America East play on the road, the Retrievers are 1-3-2.

SCOUTING THE HAWKS

Freshman Jeff Tryonand sophomoreJavoni Simmseach found the back of the net on Wednesday night to lead the University of Hartford men's soccer team to a 2-1 win over neighboring rival Central Connecticut on the CCSU campus. Simms scored the game-winner in the 85th minute. Winners of four of their last five matches, the Hawks carry a 7-1-2 record into America East Conference play.

Simms and junior back Damion Lowe lead a balanced Hawk attack with three goals and one assist apiece. The Hawk defense has excelled, only allowing five goals in ten games to date. Freshman netminder David McKinnon has all five UH shutouts on the season. Against common opponents, UMBC has a 1-0 win over George Mason, while the Hawks also hosted GMU, but fell by the same 1-0 count.

INSIDE THE SERIES

This will be the 12th meeting between the Retrievers and the Hawks. The Retrievers lead the overall series with a record of 6-5-2, but are 2-3-1 when playing at Hartford. - In last year's contest, UMBC defeated UH, 7-1, as Pete Caringi III scored a career-high four goals. He tied a school record in the Oct. 24 match-up at Retriever Soccer Park. In the 2011 season, Hartford took both match-ups, including a 1-0 decision in the America East Tournament quarterfinal contest played at Retriever Soccer Park.

UP NEXT

UMBC plays its final non-conference game on Wednesday, Oct. 9 when they visit William & Mary. In the first NCAA RPI report, UMBC was No. 3 and the Tribe was No. 5. Game time is 7:00 in Williamsburg, Va.